Preview:Guinea vs Algeria - prediction, team news, lineups

Algeria continue their quest for a place at the 2026 World Cup when they travel to face Guinea at the Mohammed V Stadium on Monday.

The visitors sit firmly in control of Group G, while the hosts know only a victory will keep their slim qualification chances intact.

Match preview

Guinea claimed a comfortable 3-0 win over Somalia in their most recent qualifier, with goals from Serhou Guirassy, an own goal from Faisal Omar and a late strike from substitute Ousmane Camara sealing the result.

That victory brought their tally to 10 points from seven matches, leaving them fourth in Group G with three wins, one draw and three defeats.

The Syli National have managed seven goals while conceding five, but they remain outsiders for qualification as they sit eight points behind Algeria.

Ranked 81st in the FIFA rankings, Michel Dussuyer's men are still chasing a first-ever World Cup appearance, and they know victory on Monday is essential to maintain any mathematical chance of progressing.

However, they can take confidence from the fact that they remain the only team to have beaten Algeria in this qualifying campaign, recording a famous 2-1 win in September last year.

Algeria, meanwhile, continued their strong form with a 3-1 victory over Botswana on Thursday - Mohamed Amoura opened the scoring in the 33rd minute before Botswana equalised just before half time through Tebogo Kopelang.

The Fennec Foxes responded after the break, with substitute Baghdad Bounedjah netting twice in the 71st and 96th minutes to secure all three points.

That win completed a double over Botswana, having beaten them by the same scoreline away from home in March.

Under Vladimir Petkovic, Algeria look firmly on course for qualification, boasting six wins from seven games, scoring 19 goals and conceding just seven.

They have now won 10 of their last 11 matches across all competitions, the only blemish being a 4-3 friendly defeat to Sweden in June.

With 18 points at the summit of the group, Algeria need just a few more results to confirm their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, and they enter this encounter as clear favourites.

Guinea World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

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Guinea form (all competitions):

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Algeria World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

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Algeria form (all competitions):

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Team News

Guinea are expected to stick with their core lineup, with Serhou Guirassy once again leading the line, supported by Aliou Balde, Mory Konate and Abdoulaye Toure in midfield.

The defensive unit could include Mouctar Diakhaby and Antoine Conte at the heart of the backline.

For Algeria, Rayan Ait-Nouri has withdrawn from the squad due to injury, with Naoufel Khacef stepping in as cover.

Petkovic is likely to name an unchanged XI from the win over Botswana, with Aissa Mandi and Mohamed Amine Tougai paired in central defence.

The attack will once again be spearheaded by Amoura, with Riyad Mahrez and Amine Gouiri offering threat from the flanks.

Guinea possible starting lineup:

Camara; D. Sylla, Diakhaby, Conte, I. Sylla; Konate, Toure, Cisse, Balde, M. Sylla; Guirassy

Algeria possible starting lineup:

Guendouz; Bensebaini, Tougai, Mandi, Attal; Aouar, Bentaleb, Boudaoui; Amoura, Gouiri, Mahrez

We say: Guinea 0-2 Algeria

Guinea have shown they can trouble Algeria, as their 2-1 win in the reverse fixture proved, but their inconsistency in front of goal has left them adrift in the qualification race.

Algeria, by contrast, are in commanding form and boast superior attacking options.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.